Oaklandish Pays It Forward (PHOTOS within)

Located within Oakland’s bustling downtown, Oaklandish carries a wide variety of apparel and novelty items that represent Oakland culture, and the proceeds from the sales in turn helps to give back to the community.

According to non-profit rating website B Corps, “Too many media outlets focus on the negative aspects of our town, while overlooking everything that makes this city legendary: its contributions to art, music, social justice and trailblazing style.”

To many Oaklanders, Oaklandish is a representation of Bay Area life, carrying many items that display pride and loyalty to their city. Such items include t-shirts displaying the famous Oakland roots tree and posters with maps of the city on them.

According to Oaklandish’s webpage, Oaklandish’s “roots” logo, which is displayed on many of their items, began as a part of a street art campaign designed to “illuminate local history and the unique cultural legacy existing here in ‘the Town.’”

While Oaklandish produces and sells Oakland-specific merchandise, they are also involved in community programs. Oaklandish Community Liaison Chinwe Okona shared a bit about what Oaklandish is currently involved in.

“Right now we just did a collaborative cap for the Oakland High School baseball team,” said Okona, “as well as a collaborative shirt with Chabot Space and Science Center. We’re also going to be at [the] A’s Opening Day on March 31st, and it’s just about time to start the planning Fairyland for Grownups.”

Okona also admires the climate that Oaklandish creates.

“I appreciate the way in which the atmosphere at Oaklandish encourages us all to be ourselves,” Okona said. I would even say our success thrives on it. To have so many different perspectives at the same company hasallowed us [to] create something that appeals to a wide variety of people.”

Oaklandish has made its mark in the Bay Area; it has won over 20 Best of the East Bay awards, including Best Public Art (2002), Proudest Hometown Merchandise (2005), Best Gallery Openings (2006), Best East Bay Product (2008-2010) and Best East Bay Idea (2011).

Some of the T-shirts sold at Oaklandish. (Photo by Chardonnay Hightower-Collins)

The store partners with other local businesses on various projects to promote civic pride and celebrate Oakland spirit. Some of their partnerships include Brown Sugar Kitchen, Chop Bar and Oakland’s Eat Real annual festival. These various businesses, in partnership with Oaklandish, create t-shirt logos and even help organize community events. Examples of the logos can be seen here.

Oaklandish also donates to local non-profits, community groups, independent businesses and artists. Some of the places they donate to are the Lake Merritt Garden Center, Oakland Public Library and the Pangea Global AIDS Foundation. Their donations range from supporting community centers and high schools in the area to local rappers and artists such as Zion I and Hieroglyphics.

The front of the Oaklandish store at Downtown Oakland. (Photo by Chardonnay Hightower-Collins)

Oaklandish is also environmentally conscious and strives for sustainability, as most of their gear is made in California, and all apparel prints are printed by hand in Oakland.

Oaklandish also has what is called the “I am Oaklandish” program, which supports the creativity of young local artists in Oakland. Each year, a specific artist becomes the official Oaklandish sponsored artist for the calendar year and represents the culture of Oakland for that year.

One of the sponsored artists is Chinaka Hodge, a poet and playwright from Oakland who was also named Best Poet by the East Bay Express in 2008.

Not only recognized as a pillar of the community, Oaklandish is also considered to be a B Corporation.

According to the B Corps website, they are “certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.” These corporations are redefining success in business and distinguish themselves from large corporations by proving themselves to be a positive force in the marketplace.

B Corps use a scoring system looking at governance, workers, community, and involvement to assess the impact of the organization. Eighty out of two-hundred points are needed to be eligible for certification. In an August 2012 report, Oaklandish’s company score was ninety-one, scoring the highest in the community section, demonstrating a clear connection to community service and sustainability.

“I really appreciate what Oaklandish does for the community,” Castro said. “I feel like they are deeply invested in the Oakland community and truly desire to make Oakland and the Bay Area a more positive place.”